For as long as I can remember, I have been a tea lover. When I was a student waking up at 3am in the morning to study or now before heading to yoga, I need my cup of ginger tea. When the rest of the household is fast asleep, my tea cooks as I water plants, roam around, play my bhajans and try to catch the Sun rise from its slumber. Whatever time I get back from work, I again get my tea ready. The little things around change – I answer work emails, check on the plants outside and sit back thinking of my day at work. However, I always had a relationship with coffee.
This part of my relationship is called knowing coffee.
Most North Indians who are as ignorant as I was when growing up, do not know what filter coffee is. We know only one kind and that’s Nescafe. It’s instant and served when someone important pays a visit. Or you know you are important if you are offered one. Making this cuppa needs extra muscle power. You add sugar to the powder and few drops of milk and beat it for good half an hour. That’s when it turns beige. You need to get the perfect color. While you are beating it, do not forget to roam around the house, talk to the guests or fill water from the purifier. Be patient. That’s the way to make this coffee. When beaten, add milk and serve. When my brother and I requested, we were given a glass of milk with a pinch of coffee and that’s how I know and remember this beverage.
This part of my relationship is called avoiding coffee.
I was a 17-year-old when I developed arrhythmia. It was hard to manage the super fast heart beats due to sudden noise or physical activity. Coffee somehow triggered it. That was when I was told to avoid coffee. A sip of coffee and I would go giddy. Pants and then those heart beats that I could clearly hear with all the quiet around. At that age I was also handling a lot of pressure of getting into the right college, pursuing engineering and all that comes with the competition of grabbing a seat. That’s how I ended up avoiding coffee for close to 10 years.
This part of my relationship is called befriending coffee.
When I came to Bangalore, I saw and experienced that coffee was not a coveted beverage. I also got to know that the filtered sister was different from the instant sister. I added a few words to my vocabulary and they were – decoction, brew, beans, steel tumblers and strong or light kapi. With a little extra sugar, this beverage never hurt my health again. Maybe it was the years in between that did the magic. The arrhythmia was gone along with the stress and the love for tea was intact. That’s how I made friends with coffee.
This part of my relationship is called ‘you are part of my life’.
Over the last few years, I have tried making a decoction at home. I have almost bought the chicory and yet stayed away from buying. I have ordered my hot and mild version of the beverage at all darshini stores. If I am not having my ginger tea at home, I can be found looking for coffee somewhere. Feels good to say that coffee is a now part of my life.
I have not yet understood the black coffee tricks, what espresso is or how to smell and tell which coffee is better. However, if it’s not the filtered sister, cousin cappuccino works too. Mocha is preferred over latte and a little savory as a side dish is that perfect combination. I continue to be a tea lover with coffee in close competition.
Writing for yeahwrite #295 today.
happiness and food 
OMG Parul I have an exact same post lying in my drafts. Exactly same. The phiti hui coffee… I still love it.. coffee was a sign of sophistication in our time back home. Also I envy you your mornings. Mine are so crazy.
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Ha ha! True, it was sophistication at our place too but not any more. Publish your post and I would love to read it 🙂
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I am a staunch tea lover. My filter-coffee-loving husband taught me to make filter coffee in the traditional way and now things i make the ‘best filter coffee’
But , I wouldn’t know, right? I am a tea lover, remember:))
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I have that little thing where I put coffee and pour hot water and allow it to stand to get the decoction. It’s fun!
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Hahaha..I wasn’t aware of the connotations, but my relationship to these two beverages is pretty much the same. I love both of them. I need tea in the morning and coffee in the evening. But I can easily switch. The only thing is that I always need something along with tea, while coffee I can consume on its own.
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That’s something new. Never heard of that habit before 🙂
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I have coffee just about every day and have loved it since college. Tea for me is just a once in a while thing, just if I want something hot but don’t want a lot of caffeine late at night. It’s interesting to see your relationship with coffee changing over time.
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Caffeine at night is not good. Your ritual is simple. Thanks for sharing 🙂
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What a great post. Coffee is such a passionate topic for people and you give it such a presence with your headings and journey. I also learned quite a bit about how different coffee is in your corner of the world. In the Netherlands, for example, they give you a cup of espresso and one cookie (only one. don’t ask for another). Here in the US everyone just brings their ratty paper cup or travel mug.
I digress.
The ritual, the companionship offered by a hot cup of something, is described so beautifully here. I love that.
As far as suggestions… I’m light on them since this is so well written but I’d consider the final heading (This part of my relationship is called ‘you are part of my life’.) and including the same kind of setup, ending with coffee.
Definitely enjoyed this and look forward to coming back and reading more of your stuff. Thanks for sharing.
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Thank you for stopping by and sharing your thoughts. The best part about blogging is getting to know the many views from around the world.
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Loved reading your relationship with coffee, Parul! Just like you I love tea more with coffee a close second. I love to drink tea in the morning. Coffee is my savior in the afternoon when I am tired but can’t take a shut eye. ☕️
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Ha ha! I know what you mean. Thank you Vinitha.
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I myself don’t know well about those coffee-terms and tea-terms.. .i love tea and coffee both- cappuccino and ginger tea are favourite… CCD introduced me to Irish cappuccino, an extra coffee version, love that one too .. 🙂 Mocha and latte are not for me.. Tea, yes,lemon tea, cardamom tea, green tea, love it all..
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Oh I love lemon tea and tulsi tea. I should try Irish coffee though. Thanks for stopping by Pratikshya.
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The pinch of coffee in the milk is something which has happened with me in my childhood and I do the same thing with my son too. I have also had on and off relationships with coffee and its a steady committed relationship now where I know I can always find coffee whenever I need
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Parents everywhere in all generations are the same. Isn’t it? 😉
Thanks Anindya!
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My reasons to like tea may be silly….it’s because it’s simple and refreshing all the time. Coffee requires that right amount of powder and sugar to get that taste. Not everyone succeeds in getting it right. Many a times I’ve gulped down bitter coffees from different places. So I stuck to tea although i know coffee when made right can be a real treat.
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Oh I agree to that. It’s more technical that plain Jane tea 🙂
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I am so glad you are free from ‘arrhythmia’, Parul! And, am also glad you are enjoying your coffee!
I, too, love coffee, but can’t make out the difference between the various types. I prefer the instant coffee cos I have yet not tasted the filter kapi. Would love to have it sometime! 🙂
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Come to our side of the world. Filter coffee is very unique and authentic to taste.
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Love love love coffee and my husband is a tea lover! I understand your beautiful relationship with coffee and I hope it makes you happy forever 🙂
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Thank you Shalini!
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In a way, this was such a wonderful tribute to coffee 🙂
I was a crazy caffeine addict for close to 28 years. It generated so much heat in my body that every other thing went for a toss. I’m a green/lemon tea person now. I still love a creamy cold coffee though 🙂
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Oh! Too much of anything is harmful. Isn’t it? 28 years is a long time. I love lemon tea.
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Being a tea person myself, I have never ventured into drinking coffee at home. But right now where I work, we get beautifully made coffee, but the tea is not nicely prepared and so, during work, I resort to coffee and I must say, I love it now. I love blcak coffee, but I hate strong variants of coffee and would almost puke if made to drink one. The same works for dark chocolate. Loved your coffee tale, Parul 🙂
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Happy Coffee gulping but be careful of the “little extra sugar” 🙂
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I loved how you detailed out your phases with coffee. Being from a tambrahm family the smell of the filter coffee is what I’ve always woken up to. I do need my kaapi in the morning but the evenings are meant for only tea. Not an addict of either beverage but appreciate it when both are perfectly brewed. My husband, on the other hand, is a coffeoholic and won’t mind it any number of times in the day!
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Your relationship with coffee has grown over the years. And being a North India, my experience with coffee has been similar to yours. I am a tea lover but since the last 20 days, I am having nothing but coffee. In fact I am having as many as 4-5 cups in a day! That I am not getting my fav milky tea could be the reason but I am quite liking my coffee here 🙂
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Coffee is good and of course good for a change 🙂
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Hello Parul
I like coffee. The smell of freshly roasted coffee in the morning make you go mmm. It is all about the art of making the perfect cup of coffee and embracing that vibrant coffee culture we all know and love. The final result of the cup of coffee you brew depends on how you grind your coffee. Well, one aspect is definitely the purchase of a good grinder. But it is also important that you know the different grind types to come up with your desired brew. No matter in which part of the world you are, you can never be too far from coffee. As the saying goes, coffee roasting is ‘part science, part art, and part magic.’ It can indeed be called a science because the entire process involves a number of complex chemical reactions. And coffee roasting is nothing short of an art because with coffee beans, you can create a number of unique flavors and aromas to suit every coffee lover.
I wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors.
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Wow! You know a lot about grinding coffee. Pretty new information.
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Parul this is such a well written post on coffee; love your expressions and style of writing.
I have a similar tale to tell- well almost. I am a tea lover and yes cook mine with ginger too..
But fell in love with the filter brew and yes while in bangalore too.
otherwise it was Nescafe all my life; beaten not stirred….
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Ha ha – so you are the beaten fan. Thanks so much shalini for stopping by!
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Funny – I’ve had a somewhat similar dance with tea and coffee since I was a youngster. I find it so interesting though how even simple beverages can be so different in other cultures – thanks for showing me a glimpse of yours. 🙂
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Thanks Traci. Yes, food is so different across cultures.
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I almost got an ulcer due to excessive coffee drinking during my exam days at med school.
I am a committed ginger tea fan.But the excess milk in the milky tea and the sugar was making it difficult to meet health goals.
So now I have an occasional weekend ginger tea ritual,green tea every morning and a few shots of coffee in between to keep me happy.
Heard a lot about you from Aseem .Just had to visit.Glad I did
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Wow! That’s a cool ritual thanks to Aseem for the recommendation.happy to have to around. 🙂
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Hi, I have been following you since last Aprils A to Z challenge and loved this one on your adventure with coffee. Probably because I am a strong black fan. I send to drink weak instant not really loving it but over the years my tastes have changes and now I really dislike instant coffee. Fortunately in Australia we have loads of great cafes.
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Thanks Fran. So glad you have been around for a longtime and also sharing your coffee preferences.
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I love this idea for a post. I think everyone can relate to this on a certain level. And what’s interesting is how coffee is treated and made around the world. Thanks for sharing such a deceptively simple but lovely post.
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I agree that not just coffee but food finds so many ways on the plate with the same ingredients. Thanks for stopping by.
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Instant coffee makes me ill (though it didn’t when I was younger), I think it’s something that they do to it – not sure what. Here’s how to ‘properly’ make instant coffee: one teaspoonful into a cup, pour on boiling water. Add milk and sugar. No need to beat up anything (the coffee or yourself! 😉 ) Filter coffee – can drink some of it as long as it’s mild. Can’t cope with the 5+ strengths (like ‘Lava Java’ – lethal! Too much caffeine.)
Tea – now tea is different. I adore Assam. I add to it my own flavourings: powdered vanilla pod is a fave.
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Ha ha! I loved what you said about beating coffee or self over the beverage.
Vanilla must be yum for sure.
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Very interesting and highly personal post. Thanks for sharing with us
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Glad you liked it. Thanks much!
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I don’t think I have drunk instant coffee for a long time now. We are very lucky to have a coffee machine at home, so freshly ground coffee in the morning is a natural habit now. Very grateful as I don’t think I could survive without it! 😉
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Coffee is always my fav beverage in any part of the year or season, even though coming from the eastern parts of India, tea always holds a much more regular and natural place in our drinking habits…..nice reading your post Parul 🙂
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Many of us could probably write a story about our relationship with coffee! I enjoyed how you shared its history in your life and it made me think about my own. I am a tea drinker but will always have a place in my heart for coffee.
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Thank you nice post!Welcome fakanal01 caffee.
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Thank you!
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Certified coffee addict here. I drink coffee 3 to 4 times a day. But when I’ve read that you encountered arrhythmia, this makes me stop drinking too much coffee. Thank you for that eye opener.
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This was long back. I am good now but yes, you never know 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!
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I must say your love for food is still better than many relationship in this world
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Thanks, Vishal!
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Coffee Lovers are enjoying the variety that comes with coffee.. Great blog. And also if you want to buy some good quality dry fruits. ”. Visit us at Healthy Master It is an online store that provides dry fruits and all healthy items at your door step.
Thanks for sharing.
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